Paleolithic Diet Recipes

Although adopting a new food plan is never easy, Paleolithic diet recipes and food substitutions may make the transition easier.

Easy Paleolithic Diet Recipes

For many people adopting a Paleo or Caveman diet, one of the biggest challenges is giving up familiar or every day foods, especially grain-based foods like baked goods. It may seem like an impossible task, but there are a number of recipes for Paleo-correct substitutions. With Paleolithic diet recipes like these, you may never miss your old favorites.

Paleo Diet Pancakes

• 1 cup finely ground almond flour
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together until just blended. Preheat a large skillet or griddle on medium-high heat. Moisten a paper towel with oil, and lightly wipe the bottom of the pan. Pour the batter onto the hot pan. The pancake is ready to turn when the bubbles begin to pop in the pancake's center.

Almond Muffins

• 1 cup almond butter
• 1 cup sliced raw almonds
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
• 3 eggs

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Beat ingredients until thoroughly combined and pour into muffin cups. Bake for 15 minutes.

Spiced Fruit Cookies

• 2 cups raw honey
• 2 cups ground walnuts
• 4 cups ground almonds
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. ginger
• 1/2 cup chopped dried fruit.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheets, or line with parchment paper.Warm the honey in a saucepan until slightly thinned, then remove from heat. Allow to cool slightly before pouring into a mixing bowl. Sift together the ground nuts and spices, and gradually add to the honey, stirring until well blended. Stir in dried chopped fruit.

The dough can be rolled out approximately 1/4 inch thick on a floured board and cut, or drop the dough onto the prepared cookie sheets by the teaspoon. Bake for 10 minutes.

Coffee Substitute

• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp. roasted chicory root
• 1 tbsp. dried dandelion root
• 1/2 tsp. cardamom seed (husked, but not ground)

Place all ingredients in a pan over medium-high heat and simmer gently for approximately 10 minutes, or until it is steeped to the desired strength. Strain before serving.

Raw Food 'Candy'

• 1 cup date paste
• 1 cup carob powder
• 1 cup almond butter

Add all ingredients in a blender or food processor, and process until thoroughly combined. Form into bite-size balls.Note: Some versions of the Paleo diet do not allow carob powder. Ground nuts can be substituted for a similar texture, if not a similar flavor.

Spicy Pecans

• 4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 3/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 cup raw honey
• 5 cups pecan halves

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Lightly grease two baking sheets and set aside.

Combine cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cayenne in a small bowl. In a large bowl, whisk egg whites until frothy. Add the honey, and whisk until just until combined.

Add nuts to the egg white mixture to moisten, one cup at a time. Remove and toss in the spice mixture, and place on prepared baking sheets. Repeat until all the nuts are coated.

Bake nuts at 250 degrees for one hour or until coating is crisp, rotating sheets halfway through baking.

Suggested Substitutions for Converting Recipes

With substitutions, some non-Paleo recipes can be converted into Paleolithic diet recipes.

• Milk - nut milk or coconut milk
• Butter - olive oil, bacon grease or coconut oil
• Yogurt - coconut milk
• Sour cream - chilled coconut milk combined with several drops of lemon juice
• Whipped cream - chilled coconut milk flavored with honey or orange zest
• Vinegar - substitute lemon juice in fruit recipes, or lime juice in vegetable or tomato recipes
• Cider vinegar - apple juice
• White sugar - honey
• Brown sugar - maple syrup
• Alcohol - If the recipe permits, simply delete the alcohol. Chicken or beef broth can be used in savory recipes. Use apple, grape or orange juice in sweet recipes.